The aftermath of a fire at the Albert Hotel on Albert Road, Widnes. The fire took place on Wednesday, May 18, and police have said that they are treating the blaze as suspicious and are appealing for people with information to come forward.

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POLICE are treating a fire which gutted a vacant hotel in Widnes last week as ‘suspicious’.

The blaze at the Albert Hotel on Albert Road was initially reported to police at approximately 5.30am on Wednesday, May 18.

Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service (CFRS) were also called to the blaze, while fire engines responded from stations in Widnes, Warrington, Runcorn and Frodsham.

Residents were evacuated from their homes while the fire raged, with both road closures and cordons put in place by the police during the incident.

A CFRS spokesman said that two main water jets, ground water monitors and two hose reels were used to extinguish the blaze, and firefighters liaised with a structural engineer to ensure the building’s exterior was safe.

Fire crews left the scene by 2pm and an investigation has been launched into the blaze’s cause.

A Cheshire police spokeswoman said that the incident is being treated as ‘suspicious’ and officers are now appealing for anyone who believes they have information in connection to the large fire to come forward.

Detective Inspector Ian Whiley from Widnes Local Policing Unit said: “This was a serious incident which caused widespread disruption for local residents and businesses.

“As a result of the fire a number of roads were closed for several hours, and more than 20 residents were evacuated from their homes.”